Native Plants
Episode: # 13 07/07/07
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Remember back in the 70’s when native gardens were all the rage and everyone was planting natives? Didn’t we love them for their unique colours and textures and what about the birds they brought to the garden?
Another thing is that we discovered how incredibly tough our native plants are and how well they cope with our harsh climatic conditions. Sadly, this gave rise to the notion that natives are ‘no maintenance’ plants and a lot of native gardens ended up looking quite untidy. Well the truth is in a garden situation natives need nurturing, just like any other exotic plant.
Take grevillea for example. It can put on years of growth and the canopy can start to look quite open. You might say it is past its best. If I we were looking at a rose bush that was long and thin then we would no doubt feel an incredible urge to give it a good prune which is exactly what you should do with the grevillea.
There is no need to be shy, you can cut most natives back by at least a third, even a half if you need to, just make sure you are using good quality tools that are sharp and clean. When it comes to grevilleas you can do this basically anytime but the best time is early to mid spring and straight after their peak flowering period.
It will come back with lots of thick, fresh growth and more blooms than you have ever imagined.
So what about fertilizing? Well, just like exotics, natives respond well to feeding too and for most, you can just use an all-purpose fertiliser like blood and bone or dynamic lifter.
There is just one thing you need to remember, some natives are what we call ‘Phosphorous sensitive’. Now it is a particular group of plants like banksias, hakeas, waratahs and of course grevilleas. So we must use special formulas that are low in Phosphorous, something like Garden Gold is ideal.
Just spread it around the root zone but remember, whenever you apply any fertiliser make sure the soil is moist first. After rain is a good time and make sure to water it in well. That way, all those added nutrients can then be taken up most effectively and the plants will respond with healthier growth and better blooms.
Nurture your natives, just like you would any other plant in your garden and you will grow the most beautiful natives that will reward you for many years to come.
Featured Products
Garden Gold for Australian Native Plants
Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
Blood and Bone
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Remember back in the 70’s when native gardens were all the rage and everyone was planting natives? Didn’t we love them for their unique colours and textures and what about the birds they brought to the garden?
Another thing is that we discovered how incredibly tough our native plants are and how well they cope with our harsh climatic conditions. Sadly, this gave rise to the notion that natives are ‘no maintenance’ plants and a lot of native gardens ended up looking quite untidy. Well the truth is in a garden situation natives need nurturing, just like any other exotic plant.
Take grevillea for example. It can put on years of growth and the canopy can start to look quite open. You might say it is past its best. If I we were looking at a rose bush that was long and thin then we would no doubt feel an incredible urge to give it a good prune which is exactly what you should do with the grevillea.
There is no need to be shy, you can cut most natives back by at least a third, even a half if you need to, just make sure you are using good quality tools that are sharp and clean. When it comes to grevilleas you can do this basically anytime but the best time is early to mid spring and straight after their peak flowering period.
It will come back with lots of thick, fresh growth and more blooms than you have ever imagined.
So what about fertilizing? Well, just like exotics, natives respond well to feeding too and for most, you can just use an all-purpose fertiliser like blood and bone or dynamic lifter.
There is just one thing you need to remember, some natives are what we call ‘Phosphorous sensitive’. Now it is a particular group of plants like banksias, hakeas, waratahs and of course grevilleas. So we must use special formulas that are low in Phosphorous, something like Garden Gold is ideal.
Just spread it around the root zone but remember, whenever you apply any fertiliser make sure the soil is moist first. After rain is a good time and make sure to water it in well. That way, all those added nutrients can then be taken up most effectively and the plants will respond with healthier growth and better blooms.
Nurture your natives, just like you would any other plant in your garden and you will grow the most beautiful natives that will reward you for many years to come.
Featured Products
Garden Gold for Australian Native Plants
- A complete fertiliser formulated specifically with a low level of phosphorus for Australian native plants.
- Contains nitrogen for healthy foliage growth, potassium for encouraging flowering and trace elements for complete plant health.
- Low application rate.
- Easy to use shaker pack.
Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food
- This is a versatile feed for all garden, potted and Australian native plants.
- Slow release nutrients improving structure and retention of the soil.
- It also encourages earthworms and is beneficial to soil micro-organisms
Blood and Bone
- An organic fertiliser suitable for all gardens including Australian natives.
- Provides nitrogen for healthy leaf growth and phosphorus for strong root development.
- Organic nutrients are released slowly to the plant, improves soil structure, promotes beneficial soil micro-organisms and encourages earthworms.
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